Mahalaya Paksha 2025 Date and Timings

According to scientists, modern humans have been living on Earth for approximately 200,000-300,000 years and have gained great knowledge. The current generation has gained knowledge and wisdom from thousands of generations before them and has built on it further. Everything that is known today, whether it is language, culture, architecture or behaviour, is passed down from ancestors. Mahalaya Paksha is the time to express gratitude to ancestors and generations of people who have shaped our lives. A great way to show our respect is by performing Pitru Pooja during Mahalaya Paksha at sacred places like Gokarna, Rameshwaram, Trimbakeshwar, Ujjain and Srirangapatna temple. Continue reading to know about Mahalaya Amavasya Pitru Paksha 2025.

Pitru Paksha 2025

People take things for granted and don’t express gratitude where it is due. If the previous generation had not done the things it did, the current generation would not have thrived. So there is a need to show respect to their contributions, without which things would have been difficult. Mahalaya Amavasya, during the Mahalaya Paksha (Pitru Paksha), is a day dedicated to showing gratitude to ancestors. It is not only a day to honour your departed parents but also to thank all the departed souls of your family from the past generations that preceded you.

During the Paksha period, new crops begin to show promise in India. Presenting the initial crops to the ancestors through Pinda Daana is a way to show gratitude and respect to them. After this period of solemn time, Indians celebrate the Navaratri and Dussehra festivals, followed by Diwali.

Ganesha Chaturti festival is celebrated in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar, which falls between August and September. After this festival, Pitru Paksha begins a 15-day lunar period that concludes with the most important Mahalaya Amavasya on a new moon day. It is the concluding day of the Mahalaya Paksha, which falls before the Sharada Navaratri and is the most crucial day of the period. This year, 2025, the Mahalaya Paksha, also known as Pitru Paksha, starts on September 7 and ends on September 21. The Mahalaya Amavasya is the most important day of this period and falls on September 21.

The Mahalaya Paksha is not region-specific and is observed by Hindus all over India. It is known as Pitru Pandharavda, Pitri Paksha, Pitri Pokkho and Mahalaya in various communities and regions. The name may vary, but the sentiment remains the same, showing gratitude to ancestors. During this period, Tarpanam and Pinda Daan are done by the family to satisfy the hunger and thirst of the soul and help them attain peace in the divine realm.

What Is The Significance of Pitru Paksha?

The land between Earth and heaven is called Pitru Loka, and that is where three generations of predecessors are said to live until they return to the birth cycle. It is believed that these souls visit their ancestors' homes during the Pitru Paksha to satiate their thirst and hunger. Pitru Devtas take what is offered to them during these two weeks.

Puranas, the sacred texts of Hindus, mention that a day is equivalent to a month in Pitru Loka in their time. For the Pitru Devtas, a day is Shukla Paksha, followed by a night of Krishna Paksha. The food and water offered during this period last the entire year.

Garuda Purana, a sacred text, says that doing Pitru Pooja during the Mahalaya Paksha brings peace to the Pitrus (ancestors), and they bless their descendants with health and prosperity. Another sacred text, the Agni Purana, states that Mahalaya Shraddha frees the ancestors from karmic bonds and helps them achieve Moksha (liberation) when conducted with a good heart and honesty. It is recommended that those who, for various reasons, did not perform the annual rituals (Shraddh) to ancestors should perform this ritual during Pitru Paksha. It is advised to feed crows or cows during the Paksha period.

2025 Mahalaya Pitru Paksha

Every day of the Paksha is governed by a Tithi (moon day). Offering Tarpanam on these days has many benefits. Here are the dates of Pitru Paksha 2025.

● Purnima Shraddha: 7th September

● Pratipada Shraddha: 8th September

● Dwitya Shraddha: 9th September

● Tritiya Shraddha: 10th September

● Chaturthi Shraddha: 11th September

● Panchami Shraddha: 12th September

● Shashthi Shraddha: 13th September

● Ashtami Shraddha: 14th September

● Navami Shraddha: 15th September

● Dashami Shraddha: 16th September

● Ekadashi Shraddha: 17th September

● Dwadashi Shraddha: 18th September

● Trayodashi Shraddha: 19th September

● Chaturdashi Shraddha: 20th September

● Mahalaya Amavasya: 21 September

Conclusion

Mahalaya Paksha is a period to show your respect and gratitude to your ancestors. Shraddha and Tarpanam are done during this period, especially on Mahalaya Amavasya day. When satisfied with your offerings, your Pitru Devatas (ancestors) will bless you with long life, good health, wealth, progeny and salvation. The doer of the rituals like Pinda Daan is also believed to get relief from debts, illness, overcome delays in marriages and attain growth in all aspects of life.

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